When Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia, he set forth his vision of education not simply on paper, but in mortar, bricks and marble.  Through his architectural design for the University he made clear that he expected faculty to be not just teachers to their students, but next-door neighbors, friends and mentors. For the last few decades, no professor at the University has personified that vision more perfectly than Ernest “Boots” Mead. Whenever he encountered particularly promising young students, he invite them to join him for a walk through the gardens of the Lawn, or for tea at the Colonnade Club, or better yet, for dinner at his home.

Within minutes, he would draw out each student’s hidden talents, hopes, and aspirations.  Within days, he would introduce the young man or woman to other students of like mind, to University organizations where he or she might flourish, or to faculty and administrators who could foster the student’s unique abilities.   Within weeks that young person’s college experience would become dramatically richer, as would the entire University community.

If a student were truly lucky, Mr. Mead would invite him or her to participate in one of his famous seminars, classes of no more than four students who met in Mr. Mead’s office, with its remarkable view of the Lawn and Rotunda. 

Mr. Mead was also an important advisor, official or behind-the-scenes, to countless University organizations and was even inducted into a fraternity in his sixties.

Upon his retirement in 1997, hundreds of Mr. Mead’s former students gathered at Alumni Hall for a black-tie dinner in his honor.  One after another, they rose to toast their mentor and friend.  Every story was different, and yet they were the same: heartfelt tributes to the man who, by taking them under his wing, had drawn them out of their small world and into a bigger one.

Ernest Mead

Born Richmond, VA, 1918.

 

B.A. University of Virginia, M.A. and Ph.D. Harvard

 

Joined University faculty in 1953, retired as University Professor 1996.

 

As Chairman of the Music Department for 13 years established the undergraduate honors program in music, the M.A. in Music, studies in non-Western musics, and developed the small music collection at the University into one of the leading music libraries in the nation.

 

Faculty advisor since inception of the program; initiated student membership on academic committees.

 

The Mead Library Fund established by the Seven Society.

 

Received the Thomas Jefferson Award "For advancing, through his character, work, and personal example, the ideals and objectives for which Jefferson founded the University."

 

Received the faculty award from the IMP, Z, and Raven Societies and the Honor Committee; commendations from Faville, the Z Society, Society of the Purple Shadows; the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award; honorary member of the Jefferson Society, guest of honor at the Seven Society Monticello dinner.

 

Initiated into Kappa Sigma fraternity at age 66.